Book signing in Richmond Hill: "A Tapestry of Life" By Mr. Khalleel Mohamed

More pictures of the booking reading and signing event for Guyanese-Canadian author, Mr. Khalleel Mohamed

Dr. Gary Girdhari of Guyana Journal introducing Mr. Mohamed ...
Mr. Mohamed siging a copy of "A Tapestry of Life" for me...
Dr. Tyran Ramnarine (blue shirt) in the audience...

Making of the Pinda for the Departed Ancestors' souls

At this Sunday morning's Satsangh, the talk was about how to observe Pitri Paksh in the correct manner. Pitri Paksh is a period of time where prayers are dedicated to our departed ancestors' souls.

One has to keep up this period properly; it is like when we fast for our festivities. One must keep away from certain types of food and drinks, etc. Pitri Paksh is a period of sacrifice.

Those of you who want to observe this period, all you need is to offer water with black teel and honey to the departed souls. You must face the Southern direction, cup your hands and allow the offering to fall through your thumb and index finger.

Then, you can make the Pinda which is offered for the departed souls. The Pinda consists of Rice, Milk, Ghee, Honey and Black Teel. Boil the rice with the milk, add honey and ghee. Boil until you could round it. Sprinkle the Black Teel (Photos below) after you're done with the rounding. It is almost like cooking sweet rice.

Offer the Water and Teel first (face the Sourthen direction - this is very important). The mantra you use are:
1. Om Devatas Tripyamtam
2. Om Rishis Tripyamtam
3. Om Munis Tripyamtam
4. Om Sarva Jiva Tripyamtam
5. Om Pitraya Tripyamtam
6. Om Pita (name) Pitraya Tripyamtam (if father passed on)
7. Om Mata (name) Pitraya Tripyamtam (if mother passed on)

Ignorance is a serious disease that we must make all attempts to eradicate from our midst. I remember growing up in Guyana, the older folks will tell you all sorts of stories about Pitri Paksh that scare the living daylights out of you. Most of the times though, these stories are not true and misleading.

The Pindas

The Funny Turns in Life Happen at the Oddest Moments

Life has a funny way of playing out itself sometimes, that oftentime, left you thinking, "How could this have happened?"

My cousin, Stanley Raj, is a community advocate (even if he doesn't want to openly admit it). He is involved in a bunch of community activities that are meant to make things better for the folks in the Richmond Hill area. He invites me to a number of these events and then introduced me to his colleagues and friends. Very nice of him.

He introduced me to Gurpal and Sharon, two young passionate lawyers who are working tirelessly towards the upliftment of the people in the community. They and others are heading the Richmond Hill Census 2010 - a very challenging task indeed. The goal is to get everyone in Richmond Hill to register in the Census and be counted, so that folks here could be alloted federal grants they deserve to enhance their quality of life.

The funny thing is that both Gurpal and Sharon are my next door neighbors and we were not aware of it. They have never seen me in the street nor I of them. We learnt that we are neighbors at my cousin's Bar-B-Que. Isn't this a weirdly funny story? And, who dare say that life is boring in Richmond Hill?

Census 2010 meeting Sharon and Gurpal (front)

Stanley Raj and others

(Pics courtesy Gurpal Picasa web)

Pitri Paksh - 9/5/09 - 9/18/09

Hindus globally will be observing the period of Pitri Paksh from 9/5/09 to 9/18/09. In the Hindu calender, this period is set aside to offer prayers and charity in the name of our Pitris (Ancestors). We offer prayers on behalf of our ancestors' souls. We donate charity in their names.

In Hinduism, we believe that the soul (Jiva Atma) is eternal and all-pervading. It is a spark of the God we worship. The soul never dies. As Lord Krishna states in Bhagavad Gita: "No weapon can cut It, no fire can burn It, no wind can dry It, no water can drench It." (Ch 2; V3).

Great blessing is derived from observing Pitri Paksh. I urge all my Hindu sisters and brothers to offer prayers in their Ancestors' names.

Below are some very old photos of some of our ancestors who came to British Guiana. May God bless their souls.

Family pose ...


Ancestors cutting cane ...


Ancestors eating ...


Ancestors waiting in line ...


Beautiful Indian girl all decked out...

(Photos taken from Guyanaundersiege.com and other websites).

Interview with Swami NirliptanandaJi

I visited the American Seva Ashram, located in Jamaica, Queens and met Swami NirliptanandaJi, who was visiting from England. SwamiJi had just concluded 3 sessions of Bhagavat Gita Yajna at the Prem Bhakti Mandir in Jamaica.

SwamiJi is Guyanese by birth, but has been living in England for many, many years. I've great respect and admiration for anyone who decided to walk the path of spirituality. By talking to SwamiJi, I could feel the great love and devotion he has for his Creator.

SwamiJi is an extremely Godly person, and so very humble. He has done a great deal for the upliftment of his fellow man.

SwamiJi has done an excellent job to help Hindus in England have a voice. And, he continues to work tirelessly, effortlessly and dedicatedly to uplift his sisters and brothers. SwamiJi has sucessfully started the OM DAY and the OM GAYATRI YAJNA celebration in England and is working to have these two celebrations done on a global basis. Both these events are very great success stories and should be patterned in countries where Hindus are.

Keep up the great work SwamiJi and Gob bless you abundantly.

SwamiJi was making an important point ..